The 2011 season gave fans across New England a rock-solid view of the
commitment level Keith Rocco places on his racing. Pushing the asphalt
“win-bar” higher than any racer since Richie Evans or Geoff Bodine, the
Wallingford, Connecticut frontrunner drove to his sixth Track Championship
after winning more races than any single driver in the United States.
Now, with those thirty-two Victories’ and the holiday’s tucked neatly in the
past, Keith Rocco has returned to the surroundings where every winning tally
began.
“Jeff and I learned early that races are mostly won in the shop.” said
Rocco. “I’m sure fans will remember our father’s habit of arriving late for
races. People would be baffled because he was still fast and he could still
win. Well it was all that preparation - all that race shop work.”
The son of recognized racer Ron Rocco, Keith’s career began in earnest in
2003. Combining effort with twin brother Jeff, the pair came close to
winning the Waterford Speedbowl Sportsman Championship in their very first
appearance.
During the following season the duo would again win multiple Speedbowl
features, this time going the distance to secure their very first title.
Thriving on adversarial situations, much of Rocco’s fuel comes from the test
he gives himself to improve each race. He explained, “I have always enjoyed
working to make the car better or great and then, pushing myself to do the
same.”
“I’m proud and our family’s proud, knowing our success comes from the
commitment we make in the shop and at the track,” revealed Rocco. “You can’t
always control what happens on track, but you can make sure the cars and
equipment are prepared with your best ability.”
“This year,” he continued, “I’m pleased that we’ll have the added support
from Mechanix Wear. The company has joined with us and will provide their
gloves and pads to my crew.”
“In the shop or at the track we’re involved in a tough sport. Safety should
always be on your mind,” he added, “but sometimes you don’t have time to do
anything but react. In those situations Mechanix Wear protection can keep
you safer.”
Both quick and controversial, performances by Keith have made him some
enemies while thousands have become fans. He has been at the top of “The
Hunter Index”, a ranking system of all NASCAR drivers, in each of the past
four seasons.
During the 2011 season he surpassed 100 feature wins in his career while
winning his third State Championship successively.
For 2012, he explained his devotion and that of each team will remain
unchanged.
“I feel our increasing success shows we are developing all the time,” said
Rocco. “It would be difficult to show big improvements in our SK Modified
program,” he smiled. “I can promise that we will do our best to take our
accomplishments to the next levels of racing.”
“As a team - as a driver, when you can compete at different tracks week-in
and week-out and continue to win races, it becomes very rewarding,” he
explained. “That’s where I get my biggest kicks.”
“We are hoping to compete in a few NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events as
well as with the Valenti Modified Racing Series this season. The cars went
out to Powder Coating last week and Jeff and I are making tin and assemblies
so we are prepared when they (the chassis’) return.”
“Except the hours I’m sleeping, I am looking forward to the 2012 season.
Though I realize luck will always play a part in the records I gain, I am
looking forward to each challenge.” |